Flights From Greece to FYROM Resume After 12-Year Pause

The first direct commercial flight between Greece and the Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM) in 12 years took off on Thursday evening.

The Olympic Air flight departed Athens at 18:40 local time (16:40 GMT) for Skopje.

The launch of the twice-weekly service follows a deal between the two nations to end a 27-year name dispute.

1st direct #Athens – #Skopje flight is about to take off from @ATH_airport! Alt. FM G. Katrougalos @gkatr & DFM T. Quick @YFYPEX bid farewell to a special passenger #fYROM DPM for European Affairs B. Osmani @Bujar_O. Have a nice flight! pic.twitter.com/Wywq5hWvC3

— Υπουργείο Εξωτερικών (@GreeceMFA) November 1, 2018

FYROM’s deputy prime minister Bujar Osmani – who was in Greece for talks – was on board the historic flight.

In a series of tweets on Thursday, Mr Osmani said that Greece had become “our greatest ally” and that the “re-establishment of the air corridor” was a symbol of improved relations.

After more than 10 years, we are witnessing the re-establishment of the air corridor between Skopje & Athens. Sincere reciprocal congratulations w/ my colleague @gkatr, as a symbol to the genuine relations that we are building between the two countries pic.twitter.com/EKgHhf44in

— Bujar Osmani (@Bujar_O) November 1, 2018